Liam Payne, a former member of the popular boy band One Direction, tragically passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the age of 31. The news was confirmed by local authorities in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was found unresponsive at a hotel.
Payne’s death occurred at a hotel in the Palermo neighborhood, according to a police statement. While the exact circumstances of his death are still under investigation, local authorities have ruled out foul play.
Payne had been in Argentina to attend a concert by his former bandmate, Niall Horan, just a few weeks prior. He had also recently celebrated his 31st birthday in the United Kingdom.
Known for his powerful vocals and charismatic personality, Payne rose to fame as a member of One Direction, a British-Irish boy band that formed in 2010 on the UK version of the reality show “The X Factor.” The band, which also included Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, achieved global success and amassed a massive fan base.
Following One Direction’s hiatus in 2015, Payne pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album “LP1” in 2019. He had been working on a new album and had planned to embark on a tour, but had to postpone the dates due to a kidney infection.
Payne is survived by his son, Bear, whom he shared with former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole.